Welcome to the Police and Crime Commissioner’s update – October 2026.
This month, we highlight our next public meeting where residents will have the opportunity to put their questions directly to the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) and representatives from Suffolk Constabulary. The meeting will take place online on Wednesday 4 November – full details included below.
In this edition, we also provide an update on an important development for policing in our region. The Police and Crime Commissioners for Norfolk and Suffolk have jointly written to the Home Secretary setting out their proposal for a single constabulary serving both counties. The proposal builds on more than a decade of successful collaboration and aims to strengthen policing, improve efficiency as well as support local communities across Norfolk and Suffolk.
In addition, we share news of the PCC’s continued support for Neighbourhood Watch, recognising the valuable contribution volunteers make in helping to reduce crime and make Suffolk a safer place to live and work.
We hope you find this update informative and thank you for your continued interest in policing and community safety across Suffolk.
Police and Crime Commissioners back merger of Norfolk and Suffolk Constabularies
The Police and Crime Commissioners for Norfolk and Suffolk have jointly written to the Home Secretary requesting a merger of Norfolk Constabulary and Suffolk Constabulary into a single police force serving both counties.
The proposal follows a review of future policing arrangements and builds on more than a decade of successful collaboration between the two forces.
The Commissioners believe a merged force would strengthen policing and provide a more sustainable model for the future.
They also say the move will maintain a strong focus on local communities.
Norfolk and Suffolk already share many policing functions such as specialist teams and support services as well as IT systems.
The Commissioners say this puts the two forces in a unique position to become a pathfinder area for police reform, with the aim of creating a single constabulary by 2028, subject to Government support.
Colin Sutton, Police and Crime Commissioner for Norfolk and Tim Passmore, Police and Crime Commissioner for Suffolk, said: “Our priority is, and always will be, securing the best possible policing service for the residents and businesses of Norfolk and Suffolk.
“Based on the evidence available to us, we are convinced that a single constabulary serving both counties will deliver that outcome.”
The Commissioners have emphasised that no decisions have yet been made by Government and that any future changes would be subject to detailed planning and engagement.
A copy of the letter is available via this link – 26.10.28_Police-and-Crime-Commissioners-proposal-for-a-Norfolk-and-Suffolk-Constabulary-merger.pdf
PCC welcomes introduction of life-saving naloxone spray for use by police in Suffolk
Tim Passmore has welcomed the decision by Suffolk Constabulary to train and equip frontline officers with naloxone, a lifesaving nasal spray that can be administered safely to people experiencing a drug overdose.
Naloxone is a medication that temporarily reverses the effects of opioid drugs, including heroin, methadone, fentanyl, oxycodone, buprenorphine and morphine.
Administered via the nostril, it can provide valuable time for emergency medical treatment to be given and has been proven to save lives.
The introduction of naloxone will give officers an additional tool to intervene quickly in critical situations and potentially prevent avoidable deaths.
PCC invites residents to join online public meeting
Residents across Suffolk are invited to take part in an online public meeting hosted by the PCC next Wednesday (4 November 2026).
The event will be held from 6.00pm to 7.30pm via Microsoft Teams and will provide an opportunity for members of the public to hear from the Commissioner and representatives from Suffolk Constabulary as well as to ask questions and discuss local policing issues.
The meeting forms part of the Commissioner’s commitment to openness and transparency, enabling residents to engage directly with those responsible for policing in Suffolk.
Tim Passmore said: “These public meetings are an important opportunity for residents to hear directly about policing in Suffolk and to raise the issues that matter most to them.
“I am keen to ensure that local people have the chance to ask questions and share their views.
“I encourage anyone with an interest in community safety and policing to join us online.”
Anyone wishing to join the meeting must register in advance by emailing: spcc@suffolk.police.uk
Following registration, attendees will receive a Microsoft Teams invitation and joining instructions by email before the event.
Neighbourhood Watch helps cut crime and makes communities safer says Suffolk PCC
Crime is around 20 per cent lower in areas where Neighbourhood Watch schemes operate compared to those without them, according to the Suffolk Neighbourhood Watch Association.
The organisation, which receives funding from the PCC’s Police Property Act Fund, works alongside Suffolk Constabulary to help reduce the fear of crime, promote crime prevention advice and strengthen local communities.
Speaking at the PCC’s Public Meeting in Martlesham last week, Nick King, from the Suffolk Neighbourhood Watch Association, welcomed the PCC’s ongoing support.
However, Mr King highlighted concerns that ageing and faded Neighbourhood Watch signs across the county may be undermining the visibility of the scheme.
He said: “We’ve got a very active association and have been allocated funding by the PCC, for which we remain extremely grateful.
“But I am concerned that tired-looking street signs attached to lampposts across the county can give the impression that Neighbourhood Watch no longer exists, and that simply isn’t the case.
“We want Neighbourhood Watch to be visible again.”
Tim Passmore praised the contribution made by volunteers who dedicate their time to keeping their neighbourhoods safe.
He said: “Neighbourhood Watch is not a nosey parker’s charter.
“It is an incredibly valuable organisation that we have worked closely with for many years.
“Its members are often the eyes and ears of the community.”
PCC joins Roma community in pledging ‘no hate in Suffolk’
Tim Passmore joined members of the Roma community and partner organisations in pledging ‘no hate in Suffolk’ at a conference aimed at tackling prejudice and hate crime.
Speaking at the Standing Together Against Hate event, organised by Union Romani Voice in Ipswich, the PCC reiterated his commitment to ensuring Suffolk is a county where everyone feels safe and valued.
Union Romani Voice is a Roma-led charity based in Ipswich that supports European citizens, Romanian nationals and Roma communities facing poverty, discrimination, social exclusion and human rights violations.
Addressing delegates, Mr Passmore stressed that hate crime has no place in Suffolk and said a single incident is one too many.
He said: “The level of recorded hate crime over the past year has dropped by around 10 per cent.
“However, there are still around 700 recorded hate crimes each year and that, in my view, is completely unacceptable.
“One of the challenges we have with hate crime is under-reporting so I would encourage any victim to report it to the police or another appropriate agency.”
The conference brought together around 60 delegates from community groups and local organisations, who signed a ‘No Hate in Suffolk’ charter which demonstrated their commitment to challenging discrimination and promoting inclusion across the county.
Chief Executive of Union Romani Voice, Simona Lazar, said: “Hate is not welcome in Ipswich and Suffolk.
“We must come together as a community.”
New officers ready to serve Suffolk communities following Passing Out ceremony
The PCC has welcomed 13 new police officers to Suffolk Constabulary following a Passing Out ceremony held at Police Headquarters in Martlesham.
The new recruits, who have successfully completed 22 weeks of intensive training, formally took their oaths of office in front of proud family members, friends, colleagues and invited guests before beginning their policing careers in communities across Suffolk.
Joining Tim Passmore at the ceremony was Detective Chief Superintendent Becky Mears, who congratulated the officers on reaching this milestone and praised the dedication shown throughout their training.
Speaking after the ceremony, Mr Passmore said: “I am delighted to welcome another group of recruits who are now fully-fledged police officers and ready to serve the people of Suffolk.
“What is particularly encouraging is the wide range of backgrounds and experiences these recruits bring with them.
“Among this cohort are people who have worked in the military, hospitality, retail and a variety of other professions.
“Those different skills and life experiences will help them connect with and serve our communities.”
To view a short film of the ceremony, please visit – PCC welcomes new PCs during Passing Out parade – 1 October 2026
Volunteer independent custody visitors share learning to improve detainee welfare
The PCC has praised the work of the county’s independent custody visitors and said they help improve the welfare, care and dignity of people in police custody.
Tim Passmore thanked the team of volunteers from Suffolk and Norfolk during an event at Suffolk Constabulary’s headquarters in Martlesham.
Independent custody visitors are local people who make unannounced visits to police custody suites to check on the welfare, rights and entitlements of detainees.
They speak with detainees in their cells to ensure they what they need, including access to legal advice, medical care, food, drink and clean bedding.
Mr Passmore said: “Our team of ICVs are completely independent of the Constabulary and act as the “eyes and ears” of the local community.
“Independent scrutiny is a vital part of maintaining public confidence in policing and helping us identify opportunities to improve services.”